The Function f(x) MicroFracture is a compact overdrive built on the maker's take on the classic Marshall Bluesbreaker circuit, and the Compound Fracture is essentially two of them in one box, with an order switch and three selectable bypass modes1. Function f(x) says the pairing allows "a wide array of single and stacked drive tones, ranging from uncompressed, spongy, dynamic soft overdrive through a heavy drive tone ranging into 80s/90s distortion territory with loads of sustain and note compression"2.
Controls and clipping options
Each of the two channels carries the same set of controls, so the two sides can be set independently2:
| Control | Channels | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Level, Gain, Tone | Both | Standard drive controls for each channel2 |
| Hard/Soft clipping selector | Both | Chooses hard diode clipping (heavier drive with more compression) or soft diode clipping (more moderate overdrive)2 |
Because both channels have the clipping switch, a player can run one side on soft clipping for a moderate overdrive and the other on hard clipping for a heavier, more compressed voice, then stack them. The hard clipping setting reaches into distortion territory, which puts the pedal within reach of the sounds covered on the site's Distortion Pedals page as well as Overdrive Pedals2.
Bypass modes and order switching
The switching system is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Function f(x) describes it as "a soft-touch, relay-based true bypass switching system"2, and notes that the Compound Fracture "uses the same innovative bypass switching setup as our MacGuffin dual overdrive"2, the maker's other dual drive, covered on its own page at Function f(x) MacGuffin.
Three bypass modes are selectable2:
- On/On: one channel on at a time.
- Flip Flop: flip/flop between each channel.
- Both/momentary: switch both channels on at once, with momentary bypass on the second foot switch for stutter effects.
On top of the bypass modes, the Compound Fracture offers effect order switching, so you can have either drive circuit first in the chain2. Order matters when stacking drives: whichever circuit sits first shapes the signal the second one receives, so being able to swap them without re-patching cables is the practical point of the feature.
The pedal draws 35mA, or 20mA when bypassed, and runs on 9V DC2. There is no battery mention in the maker's specifications, so plan a supply with enough current headroom.
Price and availability
Function f(x) lists the Compound Fracture at $299.00 USD on its own product pages, with the price shown as of late 20251.
Questions
Is the Compound Fracture true bypass?
Yes. Function f(x) describes the Compound Fracture as using a soft-touch, relay-based true bypass switching system. The pedal offers three selectable bypass modes: one channel on at a time, flip/flop between each channel, or both channels on at once, with momentary bypass on the second foot switch for stutter effects.
Can you change which overdrive comes first on the Compound Fracture?
Yes. The pedal offers effect order switching, so you can have either of the two drive circuits first in the chain. That matters when stacking, because the drive feeding the other shapes the overall character. Each channel also has its own Level, Gain and Tone controls and a hard/soft clipping selector.
What is the difference between hard and soft clipping on the Compound Fracture?
Each drive circuit has a selector switch for the choice between hard diode clipping, which the maker describes as heavier drive with more compression, and soft diode clipping, described as more moderate overdrive. Because both channels have the switch, you can pair one of each for stacked tones.
How is the Compound Fracture related to the MacGuffin?
The Compound Fracture uses the same bypass switching setup as Function f(x)'s MacGuffin dual overdrive, according to the maker. Both are dual-circuit overdrives; the Compound Fracture's drive circuits are the maker's take on the classic Marshall Bluesbreaker overdrive, the same circuit as the MicroFracture.
How much does the Function f(x) Compound Fracture cost?
The Compound Fracture is listed at $299.00 USD on Function f(x)'s own product pages, with the price shown as of late 2025.
Sources (3)
- MicroFracture, Function f(x), 2025-12-15
- Compound Fracture, Function f(x), 2024-12-01
- Parallax, Function f(x), 2025-10-11
